People used to ask me if I’d do some headshots for them…and I never was drawn to that business. Headshots are so different than what I do as a Lifestyle Photographer, so it was easy for me to pass on those opportunities as it just wasn’t on-brand for me (read: something I’m good at).
And then, I started getting requests for more Lifestyle-inspired sessions for professionals. Branding sessions. Is there a difference between Branding Sessions and Headshots? YES! If you ask me – absolutely. Typically when someone asks for headshots – they mean exactly that: cropped-in-close, smiling-at-the-camera, wearing professional attire, headshots. But Branding Sessions aim to capture so much more than just your….head. They’re about your entire brand – not just your face.
But still…I knew I had to do this my own way if I was going to officially offer Branding Sessions because some Branding Sessions – while they may capture your branding colors and some cute outfits *perfectly*, they still lack what I love the most: TRUE PERSONALITY. APPROACHABILITY. And that magical it-factor that makes people feel CONNECTED to you before they even meet you. It’s the difference between someone seeing a person that looks “perfect” and seeing someone they can actually visualize themselves sitting down with for a cup of coffee.
So here’s a little secret: I don’t aim to make someone look perfect in their Branding Sessions. Instead, I focus on capturing what makes them HUMAN, what makes them RELATABLE, what makes them the person that other people ACTUALLY WANT TO HIRE. Why? Because we all know this:
Not only that, people who appear “too perfect” often come across as untrustworthy. Think about it – we all know the highlight reels on Instagram are a bunch of crap. What we long for – most of us, anyway – are people that are real, just like us. There are plenty of photographers out there that can make you look stellar. I mean, flawless. Spotless. Like a million bucks. Almost like a mannequin instead of a real human. But sometimes when you look *that perfect* you really look *unapproachable*. There HAS to be a balance if you want people to get past the “Is this who I really want to work with?” Phase – to the click of that “Contact Me” button on your website (or whatever it may be that starts the engagement process for you).
Perfectly imperfect is the goal here. Finding the softer side, the cute little quirks, and bringing out the personality behind your brand is what I focus on during Branding Sessions. Because otherwise – it’s just another face on the internet.
This is Sabrina, below. She’s a photographer like me. She loves bright colors, laughing, connecting, reading all-the-business-stuff, and helping other photographers develop their business. And doesn’t she look like someone you could sit down with and chat about business? She is. She totally is.
So – if you’re looking for someone to put you at ease during your Branding photos and bring out the real you – hit that Contact button on my website and let’s chat! I promise you, I will keep it real, you will look fab (while still looking like a real human being), and it’ll be a TON of fun that leaves you wanting to do it over and over again!
XOXO-
Jodie